Thursday 11th June: A much sunnier day with only a light breeze and we made a reasonably early start through Osney lock and down river. Actually went through the lock with nb Jolly Badger which we have been tailing for a few days now. They were going to moor up a bit further down stream and so we left them behind and didn't share either of the other two locks (Iffley & Sandford) today. We did pass a few boats going the other way but the overall impression was that we had the Thames to ourselves. A very pleasant cruise through great English countryside. Arrived at Abingdon lock intending to use the services and water up but spotted a short length of 24 hr mooring with canal type straight edge we could hardly ignore. In fact decided to stay an extra night and went off to pay the lock keeper our £5. Spent the afternoon chilling out in the sun watching the local wildlife in the stream below the towpath.
Aware of noise in the tree behind this monster we saw that a woodpecker was regularly returning to a hole in the trunk to feed its young but we were unable to get a photo of this event. Also watched the boats go by in and out of the lock
including the Salters "Steamer" on its regular service between Abingdon and Oxford.
as well as Stanley a French Basset with a flat hat and owner!
Before Bridie prepared our evening meal we took the dogs for a walk down the towpath to see all the below lockers moored before and in Abingdon (not as select and quiet as the three boats moored here above the lock surrounded by trees).
Friday 12th June: Paying the price for yesterday's good weather, today being grey and overcast with frequent light showers during the day. No sitting outside on the chairs today! First expedition was to Waitrose with Molly the trolley to replenish supplies. That ended in me doing two trips as despite having Molley we still had too many bags to cope with easily, but then we did stock up the beer supplies (David please note)! Left Bridie sat on a park bench with Molly and numerous bags of shopping looking like a little old
bag lady.
Having unpacked and had lunch we then made a second foray into Abingdon for a wander round, a trip to Boots etc and then just because it was raining and miserable we checked out 'The Anchor' on the riverside. Then back up the Thames path to PO to collect the dogs for a walk back up river through the meadows surrounding Swift Ditch and the remains of the first Pound lock on the River Thames.
We think the main yellow flower in this meadow was Common Hawkweed but there were also lots of Birdsfoot Trefoil and Oxide Daisies as well as Clover and Flycatcher.
And also here lots of Poppies.
Saturday 13th June: Today started even greyer than yesterday and it was raining with some fairly heavy showers interspersed with periods of heavy drizzle. We decided to chance it and made way moving onto the service point after breakfast to fill the water tank dispose of rubbish etc. Then through the lock and the rain was getting heavier again. It was now 10am and having decided to fill up with diesel at the Chandlery through the bridge we were disappointed to find a large boat moored there and the 'Closed' sign still out. However there was a mooring free almost immediately opposite so we decided to moor chill out and decide what to do next having joined the 'below lockers' although now about half a mile below.
Had lunch and watched the boat movements through the bridge and on the steamer pier.
The rain finally eased off about 3pm and we wandered down the towpath across the meadows opposite to Abingdon Marina, going as far as where the Swift Ditch re enters the Thames. We could see a rather nice cottage by an old navigable bridge (this was the original line of the navigable Thames). Back to the boat and booked an engine service in Reading for the 23rd
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